​My daughter, Kristy Treewater, is a unique woman. She is a loving wife, devoted mother, thoughtful daughter, trusted friend, talented chef, and an outstanding middle-school principal. So, why am I publicly bragging about her? Because I’m a proud momma who is bursting with pride. I recently learned that the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and the San Rafael Chamber Education Committee has named Kristy as one of their recipients for the 2017-2018 Excellence in Education award. This great honor doesn’t surprise me. Here’s why. As a child, she’d spend hours lining up her dolls to play “school.” I would peek into her bedroom and watch her read stories to “students.” Kristy taught lessons with confidence, and she made sure everyone towed the line. During high school, she worked as an after-school counselor, coordinating various activities to keep her crew busy. After earning a teaching credential from Dominican University, several districts offered Kristy a job. She chose to teach math and science at Venetia Valley in San Rafael, valuing the K-8 school’s diversity. Her sister and I had fun helping decorate her first classroom by lining walls with enticing materials to stimulate young minds. On several occasions, I sat quietly in the back of the room, watching her perform math magic. The kids didn’t even notice me because they were so engaged in the lesson. After a few years, she left the classroom to become a peer math coach. Later, she served as an assistant principal at three different schools before being named principal of Miller Creek Middle School. You will often find her welcoming students by name as they arrive on campus, as well as when they leave at the end of the day. She attends events—musical performances, sporting activities, after-school clubs, speech competitions, board meetings, fundraisers—on a regular basis. She writes newsletters and uses social media to keep parents informed of school activities. She can’t walk anywhere in San Rafael without current and former students (and their parents) stopping to chat. She’s an education rock star. Kristy is a private woman. She won’t like me posting this blog but I can’t help myself. I’m a proud momma. Congratulations for following your dreams, daughter. Please savor this well-earned recognition, knowing you make the world a better place for so many people—especially those lucky Panthers at Miller Creek.